NB: I went to speech therapy and did tongue twisters like ‘A big black bug bit a big black bear’.  Then I started acting – I thought it would be a really big challenge… and it was. It was nerve-wracking, but it also helped me focus more and I learned discipline.

I’d just tell others to keep working at it, maybe find a good speech therapist you can trust and who’ll work with you. Believe in yourself and you’ll get there.

FTN: You’re obviously best known for your part as Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayer… what was your favourite episode?

NB: Well, you have to put the musical aside, because that was just such a special, magical experience. I really enjoyed playing Renfield in Buffy vs Dracula. He was just a different character and I loved tapping into that. And he had some great lines: “Like any of that’s enough to fight the dark Master. Bater.” or “I’m finished being everybody’s butt-monkey.”

I also really loved The Zeppo. I remember when I first got the script, I closed it and it made me tear up a little – Xander was growing up. I didn’t read comics when I was a kid. I tried one Archie comic, and I was like, “Nope”.

FTN: You have a recurring role as Kevin Lynch in Criminal Minds… can you give us any clues as to who is stalking the BAU team or what’s in store for Kevin and Garcia?

NB: I can’t – well, I could, but I don’t want to get these writers mad at me; have you seen what they do to characters on Criminal Minds?!

FTN: You just finished filming two movies, Morningside Monster and Big Gay Love. What can you tell us a bit about them?

FTN: Nicholas, thanks once again for your time, before you go, Marc, the Following the Nerd chief has always thought you would make a great Peter Parker in Spider-man. Are you a fan and is this a part you would have liked to play yourself?

NB: I didn’t read comics when I was a kid. I tried one Archie comic, and I was like, “Nope”. I was more into baseball. But I’ve heard that a lot – some fans even had an online campaign when they were casting the role the first time. Being told you’d make a great version of an iconic superhero, though? I’ll take it!”

Tags: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon, niholas brendon, xander harris Rita Scott

My name is Rita Scott and I was born in 1980. All my life I have been a massive horror movie fan and have been an avid follower of shows such as Buffy, The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, American Gothic, there are literally too many to mention. I am obsessed with Friends and live in hope of a movie. I love to write and I hope you enjoy my articles.
[null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://www.followingthenerd.com/tv/the-big-interview-nicolas-brendon/", "unformatted_src": "http://www.followingthenerd.com/site/wp-content/authors/Rita%20Scott-62.jpg", "src": "http://www.followingthenerd.com/site/wp-content/authors/Rita%20Scott-62.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Rita Scott", "alt_text": "Rita Scott"}, null, null, null]